Chapter 295 Accepting the Crown Prince's Marriage Proposal
After releasing the arrow, Lu Yuan didn't even look at the result, and turned to leave with the reins in hand.
The audience members below the stage all showed expressions of surprise.
Because Lu Yuan actually missed.
His last arrow landed at the feet of the colorful pheasant, startling it so much that its tail feathers scattered and it flapped its wings wildly, trembling like a sieve.
But no matter what, a shot that misses is a shot that misses.
The final results were in, and Hsiao Hsuan-yu was the undisputed winner.
But Xiao Xuanyou's face was grim, showing no sign of the satisfaction of winning the match.
Lu Yuan did it on purpose.
He was telling himself that he had deliberately held back with the last arrow, not using his full strength.
No matter how brilliant one's arrow was, it always felt like an unfair victory.
Xiao Xuanyou gripped the bow and arrow tightly in his hand.
His face was as still as water.
Even as the eunuch presented him with his prize—a jeweled agate dagger—and even as the crowd below offered their congratulations and praises, the resentment in his heart did not dissipate in the slightest.
On the contrary, Lu Yuan handed the reins of the black horse to his attendant, his mood unusually calm.
He had targeted the people he needed to target, vented his anger, and regained his former quiet, stern, and cold demeanor as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
He was completely different from the agile and commanding figure he had just displayed on the field.
He entered the main tent, lifted his robe, and knelt before Emperor Xuanzhao.
"What is this?" Emperor Xuanzhao's face was unreadable.
"Your humble servant has come to apologize." His expression was indifferent.
Emperor Xuanzhao dismissed the palace servants around him, "Oh? What crime have you committed, my dear minister?"
"Your Majesty, I acted rashly and offended the Crown Prince of Xiang. I have come to ask for Your Majesty's punishment."
Emperor Xuanzhao raised an eyebrow. "Did the heir of the Prince of Xiang steal your sweetheart? But he is not married."
"No, I have no grudge against the Crown Prince of Xiang. However, the Crown Prince is of noble status, and I dare not disobey him. After much thought, I can only target the Crown Prince of Xiang."
Emperor Xuanzhao felt both annoyed and amused.
"You are quite frank, but there is no distinction of rank in the competition. It is nothing to say if the Prince of Xiang's skills are inferior. Get up."
Xiao Yunheng acted too outrageously because of his guilt towards Lu Yuan, and was given a mild lesson by Lu Yuan, which also served as a good opportunity for him to know that there are always people more capable than him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Lu Yuan bowed and stood up.
Emperor Xuanzhao then asked him, "Was the last arrow deliberately shot astray, my dear minister?"
Lu Yuan nodded, "Your Majesty, I only want to prove myself in front of her; winning or losing is irrelevant."
"I am now quite curious about which woman has become a married woman."
"Yes, she is Qing..."
Lu Yuan answered decisively, but Emperor Xuanzhao quickly interrupted, "Stop, stop, stop! I don't want to know."
Disappointment immediately appeared on Lu Yuan's face.
Emperor Xuanzhao dismissed him with disdain, saying, "Don't offend my ears here. Go and change your clothes before you come back."
Lu Yuan, who emerged from the tent, curled the corner of his lips into a smile.
As a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he didn't need to be upright, honest, or polite, nor did he need to be smooth-talking or adept at navigating social situations.
All you need to do is be honest enough with Emperor Xuanzhao so that he feels he will never be out of his control.
Even if he is cunning and treacherous, bullies the weak and fears the strong, and even if he covets other men's wives.
Emperor Xuanzhao would turn a blind eye, and even trust him more because of his complete openness.
After the archery competition, the hunting session began.
The military officers were all eager to show off their skills and impress the emperor.
Even the women couldn't resist taking their familiar horses and forming small groups to ride or stroll around.
The forest was surrounded by Imperial Guards and Embroidered Uniform Guards. After the unexpected incident during the last autumn hunt, the number of guards had nearly doubled, so it was very safe as long as one stayed within the guarded area.
When Jiang Zhi went to choose a horse, a eunuch came over and placed the reins of a horse in her hand.
"Princess Qinghe, this was specially prepared for you by the Crown Prince," the eunuch whispered in her ear.
Jiang Zhi looked up at him.
I did see this person when I was abducted to the Eastern Palace last time.
She nodded calmly and mounted her horse.
Lu Yuan, who was guarding Emperor Xuanzhao, saw Jiang Zhi's little movements from afar. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his knuckles turning white.
Although he had promised Jiang Zhi that he would turn a blind eye to this matter.
But he still couldn't suppress the surging anger in his chest.
My heart felt like it was being pierced by countless sharp blades, making every breath painful.
After Jiang Zhi entered the forest, she let the horse lead her to Xiao Xuanyou.
Sure enough, the horse seemed to have been trained. In just a short while, it led her to a quiet, deserted bamboo forest and stopped there.
Xiao Xuanyou emerged from behind the bamboo grove.
He had changed his clothes and was now wearing a moon-white brocade robe with gold thread and cloud patterns, which was luxurious and elegant. He was tall and slender, and his narrow phoenix eyes were looking at her with a half-smile.
Jiang Zhi knew that there must be Xiao Yunheng's spies nearby, who were deliberately placed there by Xiao Xuanyou.
He frowned and said coldly, "Your Highness, what do you intend to do by leading me here on horseback?"
Xiao Xuanyou stepped forward and extended his hand to her, "Dismount first, I naturally have something to discuss with you."
Jiang Zhi ignored his hand, dismounted herself, and curtsied to him according to etiquette.
"I have been out for a long time and I fear that my husband will worry. Since this horse belongs to the Crown Prince, I will leave it here. I will take my leave now."
After saying that, he turned to leave.
As expected, Xiao Xuanyou grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. "I told you, I have something to tell you. I will let you go after I finish speaking."
Jiang Zhi feigned a few struggles, then looked at him with a stern face, "What exactly does the Crown Prince want to do?"
Xiao Xuanyou took something out of his clothes and handed it to her.
"The moment I saw this dagger, I decided I had to win it and give it to you."
Jiang Zhi lowered her eyes, startled.
It was the prize from the archery competition just now—a gemstone and agate dagger passed down from the Holy Ancestor.
“The person His Highness should give this to is the Crown Princess,” Jiang Zhi said, maintaining a cold expression. “This gift is far too precious for me to accept.”
Xiao Xuanyou raised an eyebrow. "If Princess Qinghe does not accept it now, I will have a eunuch personally deliver it to the Shen residence tomorrow."
Jiang Zhi was furious. "How can Your Highness make such a demanding request? If someone sees this, how am I supposed to explain it?"
"Then I can only ask Princess Qinghe to keep it safe for me."
Without a word, he shoved the dagger into her hand.
The dagger has smooth lines and exquisite craftsmanship. The gemstones inlaid on it are clearly rare treasures. It feels heavy in the hand.
Knowing that the dagger would be useful later, she declined a few times but then "reluctantly" accepted it.
A satisfied smile appeared on Xiao Xuanyou's face.
"Very well, accept the dagger, and Princess Qinghe will agree to my marriage proposal."
Jiang Zhi: ? ? ?
"What does Your Highness mean by this?"
When Xiao Xuanyou discussed it with her before, he only told her to accept the gifts he gave her.
But it was never mentioned what it had to do with proposing marriage.
Xiao Xuanyou couldn't help but kiss her on the cheek. "Does Princess Qinghe not know that this dagger came from the Rouran, a nomadic people on the grasslands, who used short knives to pledge their love to each other?"
“When a man gives a woman a dagger, it means he wants to spend the rest of his life with her. If the woman accepts it, it means she has accepted his marriage proposal.”
"Since Princess Qinghe has agreed, I will personally welcome you into the Eastern Palace."
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